I am finally back from DVR hell. Stupid blackout restrictions gave me the Ducks feed (thanks DirecTV to switch me over to it), but I stuck with it and was rewarded. I also got spoilered at least the 1st period, then the 2nd period, and possibly even the tying goal by a Ducks fan who was driving the ambulance that I did a ride-along with today. Huge coincidence that we met each other today. Anyway, the SNOG...

Plenty of prognosticators picked 3-2, but only two got both Pavelski and Couture (none got either Ducks goalscorer correct)

Speaking of the Ducks feed, I was watching the game with Sharks feed until like a minute before Couture's goal. The Sharks feed glitched up, I switched over, and Couture scored. After that, I was too superstitious to switch back.
I may have to watch every Anaheim game with their commentators now...

If you ever want to know how important Dan Boyle is to this team, I suggest re-watching this game. It is impossible to play a puck possession style when you do not have elite puck-movers on the back end to lead the breakout. Boyle is so incredibly vital to this team and the style they want to play; probably more so than any other player. The Sharks' top line consistently dominates despite playing against the toughest competition the opposition has to offer. They are a mismatch against the vast majority of opposing top lines because they dominate possession and simply keep the puck away from the other team's top forwards. A huge part of their offensive zone possession dominance is due to Boyle actually getting the puck through the neutral zone. His ability to act as a fourth forward, jump into the cycle, and control the puck deep in the offensive zone is unparalleled. Today, the Sharks were completely incapable of even breaking out of their own zone with the puck. And when they did manage to lead an attack into the Anaheim zone, they were unable to keep possession and generate any type of sustained pressure. Not to mention, Boyle's impact on the powerplay is irreplaceable. It's not a coincidence that the Sharks became a dominant force on the powerplay the moment Boyle arrived in town.

Either way, let's just hope that the Sharks never have to deal with Boyle being out of the lineup for an extended period of time. The defense that the Sharks iced today was a flashback to the good old days when we used to dress 5+ defensemen who couldn't move 3 feet with the puck and were generally anchored to our own blueline. Justin Braun looked like Bobby Orr compared to the rest of our defense. I must say, however, that Brad Stuart was absolutely fantastic tonight. He was a rock in the defensive zone and often jumped up into the rush as well. He is no longer the skater he used to be, but still managed to be involved in the offensive zone and his rush led to the tying goal. On a night that most of our defense treated the puck like it was a hand grenade, Stuart certainly impressed me. I'm happy that he's back.

The Sharks were terrible tonight. And they managed to get 2 points against a division rival. I'll take it.

If you ever want to know how important Dan Boyle is to this team, I suggest re-watching this game. It is impossible to play a puck possession style when you do not have elite puck-movers on the back end to lead the breakout. Boyle is so incredibly vital to this team and the style they want to play; probably more so than any other player. The Sharks' top line consistently dominates despite playing against the toughest competition the opposition has to offer. They are a mismatch against the vast majority of opposing top lines because they dominate possession and simply keep the puck away from the other team's top forwards. A huge part of their offensive zone possession dominance is due to Boyle actually getting the puck through the neutral zone. His ability to act as a fourth forward, jump into the cycle, and control the puck deep in the offensive zone is unparalleled. Today, the Sharks were completely incapable of even breaking out of their own zone with the puck. And when they did manage to lead an attack into the Anaheim zone, they were unable to keep possession and generate any type of sustained pressure. Not to mention, Boyle's impact on the powerplay is irreplaceable. It's not a coincidence that the Sharks became a dominant force on the powerplay the moment Boyle arrived in town.

Either way, let's just hope that the Sharks never have to deal with Boyle being out of the lineup for an extended period of time. The defense that the Sharks iced today was a flashback to the good old days when we used to dress 5+ defensemen who couldn't move 3 feet with the puck and were generally anchored to our own blueline. Justin Braun looked like Bobby Orr compared to the rest of our defense. I must say, however, that Brad Stuart was absolutely fantastic tonight. He was a rock in the defensive zone and often jumped up into the rush as well. He is no longer the skater he used to be, but still managed to be involved in the offensive zone and his rush led to the tying goal. On a night that most of our defense treated the puck like it was a hand grenade, Stuart certainly impressed me. I'm happy that he's back.

The Sharks were terrible tonight. And they managed to get 2 points against a division rival. I'll take it.

Brilliant post Blades. I was thinking the same thing about Boyle all game long. I suppose if Brent Burns was in the lineup, or maybe even Demers, that would offset Boyle's loss a bit, but yea its night and day without him.

Same thoughts on Stuart as well, turning out to be a great FA pickup. When the blueline gets healthy, it'll be our most complete group of D-men the sharks have ever fielded.

Sounds like this was a good game to miss. I only caught the second half of the first.

Boyle had better be better by Thursday. I don't want to ice that horrible defense against Hall, Yakupov, and Nugent-Hopkins.

Anyway, good for Stuey for really bringing it. I was not expecting him to be nearly this good.

Eberle is their best player imo and that's what scares me... Everyone always forgets about him. Maybe thst's why he's such a threat, players too concerned with RNH and Hall and the next thing you know Eberle buries.

My take on the game. For starters the Ducks tv announcers are horrendous
Sharks/Ducks games are always pretty tight. This was no different. Vlasic ISNT a PMD and had his worst game of the year. Petrecki played ok imo, didnt cost us a goal with his play. Murray must be traded, after Demers,Burns,Boyle return. Stuart is what I expected. Havlat/Handgunz together was ok, a few good chances. Thought TJ played a pretty good game. Pavs goal was sweet, who said he had no shot? Logan played another solid game. Clowe was meh but i did recall him parking himself in front of the goalie a few times, maybe he might figure out thats where he needs to play..

Just one of those games where the team has an 'off night' but, one thing I liked in the third was when Todd moved Gomez to the second line and Havlat alongside Handzus. I hope he stays with this as, pre this move, the third line has been non existent, again. Same issue we had last year. This can't happen come the playoffs again otherwise teams will focus on our top two lines to shut them down as much as possible and we again will have zero support from the bottom six. I think Handzus plays pretty well alongside Havlat so, let them run alongside Wingels for a while. Plus, Gomez looked pretty good on the second unit.

Another point; i'd like to see Sheppard get some playtime and replace Galiardi. He, Galiardi, is awful. Todd and D.W. just have to face fact that, the deal with the Av's was a terrible one and there is others, Sheppard or something via a minor trade, that should be filling his spot in the starting lineup.

I was angry with Todd's shootout selections at first, but after Handzus' shot, I was understanding. Thought the Sharks really snuck away with two points, Getzlaf and Perry are still very threatening and amazing hockey players. I was also amazed at how much further Getzlaf's hairline has receded.

My take on the game. For starters the Ducks tv announcers are horrendous[/B]
Sharks/Ducks games are always pretty tight. This was no different. Vlasic ISNT a PMD and had his worst game of the year. Petrecki played ok imo, didnt cost us a goal with his play. Murray must be traded, after Demers,Burns,Boyle return. Stuart is what I expected. Havlat/Handgunz together was ok, a few good chances. Thought TJ played a pretty good game. Pavs goal was sweet, who said he had no shot? Logan played another solid game. Clowe was meh but i did recall him parking himself in front of the goalie a few times, maybe he might figure out thats where he needs to play..

So true. NHL centre ice had our coverage on the non HD channel of the game so, I switched to that. Yeh, I couldn't take them any longer watching that first period even though it being in HD.

I was angry with Todd's shootout selections at first, but after Handzus' shot, I was understanding. Thought the Sharks really snuck away with two points, Getzlaf and Perry are still very threatening and amazing hockey players. I was also amazed at how much further Getzlaf's hairline has receded.

How could you be upset with the shootout selections? Todd went Handzus (50%), Pavelski (44%), Clowe (42%) - in that order to obviously try and take the lead earlier rather than later. It was almost cheating when you saw the Ducks first shooter, Bobby Ryan was only a 29% shooter.

I realize shootout percentages are something to look out when making selections, I just felt like Clowe in particular hasn't really been with it so far this year, not to mention he hasn't shown a lot of creativity on the shootout since goalies started picking up on that forehand to backhand shot. Not blind hate, just initial reaction.

Speaking of the Ducks feed, I was watching the game with Sharks feed until like a minute before Couture's goal. The Sharks feed glitched up, I switched over, and Couture scored. After that, I was too superstitious to switch back.
I may have to watch every Anaheim game with their commentators now...

I'm sorry... but I know how you feel living in OC. I can't stand the Ducks announcers. Seems like they always say stuff that is completely off they wall just to hype up or make the Ducks look good.

If you ever want to know how important Dan Boyle is to this team, I suggest re-watching this game. It is impossible to play a puck possession style when you do not have elite puck-movers on the back end to lead the breakout. Boyle is so incredibly vital to this team and the style they want to play; probably more so than any other player. The Sharks' top line consistently dominates despite playing against the toughest competition the opposition has to offer. They are a mismatch against the vast majority of opposing top lines because they dominate possession and simply keep the puck away from the other team's top forwards. A huge part of their offensive zone possession dominance is due to Boyle actually getting the puck through the neutral zone. His ability to act as a fourth forward, jump into the cycle, and control the puck deep in the offensive zone is unparalleled. Today, the Sharks were completely incapable of even breaking out of their own zone with the puck. And when they did manage to lead an attack into the Anaheim zone, they were unable to keep possession and generate any type of sustained pressure. Not to mention, Boyle's impact on the powerplay is irreplaceable. It's not a coincidence that the Sharks became a dominant force on the powerplay the moment Boyle arrived in town.

Either way, let's just hope that the Sharks never have to deal with Boyle being out of the lineup for an extended period of time. The defense that the Sharks iced today was a flashback to the good old days when we used to dress 5+ defensemen who couldn't move 3 feet with the puck and were generally anchored to our own blueline. Justin Braun looked like Bobby Orr compared to the rest of our defense. I must say, however, that Brad Stuart was absolutely fantastic tonight. He was a rock in the defensive zone and often jumped up into the rush as well. He is no longer the skater he used to be, but still managed to be involved in the offensive zone and his rush led to the tying goal. On a night that most of our defense treated the puck like it was a hand grenade, Stuart certainly impressed me. I'm happy that he's back.

The Sharks were terrible tonight. And they managed to get 2 points against a division rival. I'll take it.

You are correct to an extent, the Sharks were actually missing three puck moving dmen last night. There really isnt a team in the league that could deal with that much better than the sharks did last night. That said, I think they did an admirable job because most of the dmen were a bit out of their element.

Without Boyle, with Burns and Demers I dont think we see such a struggling breakout. What Boyle did show is that he controls that powerplay better than a lot of people think.